Coburn, a fiscally conservative Republican, has a hold on the bill, a legislative tactic to prevent its passage. He sent a letter to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), saying that the Caregiver and Veterans Services Act of 2009 needs to be fully debated because it will cost taxpayers more than $3 billion over the next five years. The bill provides funding for families who care for wounded soldiers.

Reid, flanked by a severely injured Iraq war veteran on Tuesday, hinted that Coburn’s tough stance on the cost of legislation was flawed — he supported the war in Iraq, which wasn’t paid for, but opposes the veterans care bill for the same reason.

“Where was he when we were spending a trillion dollars on the war in Iraq?” Reid asked. “That wasn’t paid for. I didn’t hear him stopping the bill from going forward at that time. I think he should become more logical and understand we have people who are suffering.”

John Hart, Coburn’s spokesman, shot back, saying that Reid thinks Congress doesn’t have to make tough choices while the rest of America does.

“Dr. Coburn would have welcomed Senator Reid’s help in paying for the war,” Hart said in an e-mailed statement. “Instead, Senator Reid was voting for the Bridge to Nowhere and defending earmarks for contributors in Nevada.”